State briefs: Little rain in sight for dry counties

AUBURN - Eastern Alabama is still locked in a drought, but forecasters say the area isn't likely to see much rain over the Thanksgiving holidays.

About 45 percent of the state remains abnormally dry, and conditions are worst in eastern Alabama north of a line extending roughly from Montgomery to the Auburn area. Some counties are in an extreme drought.

But forecasters see little chance of meaningful rain. An approaching cold front is supposed to bring showers today, along with cooler temperatures, but it won't be enough to improve conditions along the Georgia line.

Conditions are driest in Tallapoosa, Chambers, Clay and Randolph counties, plus a corner of Lee County.

Killing rattles south Alabama town

GEORGIANA - A killing has rattled a normally quiet town in south Alabama.

Authorities said 72-year-old Dorothy Leatherwood was found dead in her home in Georgiana a week ago. Now, police say it appears the woman knew the killer.

Butler County Sheriff Kenny Harden told WAKA-TV there weren't signs of anyone breaking into Leatherwood's house, and very few people typically visited her.

The sheriff said friends and family tell police the woman always kept her home locked.

People in town are nervous, and Georgiana police said they are tripling the number of neighborhood patrols in the town. Police Sgt. J.C. Salter says officers want people to feel safe.

Investigators said they have a person of interest in the case, and they're looking for the suspect.

Man sentenced for tax evasion

Prosecutors say a Pelham man has been sentenced to a prison term on charges of tobacco tax evasion and criminal possession of a forged instrument.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange and Revenue Commissioner Julie P. Magee announced the sentencing in Shelby County Circuit Court this week.

They said Shamim Ahmed Khan will serve six months imprisonment and five years of probation.

In addition, he was ordered to pay restitution to the state of Alabama totaling $1,721,996 in criminal and civil penalties and interest.

Prosecutors said Khan operated a wholesale company that distributes goods to retail convenience stores.